Springfield Township High School Graduation Project—Thesis Driven Research Product Organizer
Hook/Grabber: How would it make you feel if I told you that one out of every eight people you talk to in high school may be suffering from severe, clinical depression?
Thesis: Teenage depression is a threatening illness that is often overlooked and not recognized throughout youth that fit this age group.
Essential Background information: Depression in teenagers is extremely elemental. It is often triggered by an introduction of sexual hormones into teens and by a series of disturbing events. Depression and suicidal behavior can be traced to a noticeable or unnoticeable infatuation with death, loss of interest, intense physical changes, or unexplained physical complaints. Treatment options for depression can vary from talk therapy to the risky option of using antidepressants. Depression among youth often branches off into three types: major depressive disorder, dysthmic disorder, and the very common bipolar disorder.
Argument 1:
Depressed teenagers have a much higher chance of becoming suicidal and actually committing suicide.
Evidence/Quotes: · The NIMH estimates that as many as 7% of depressed teenagers may commit suicide before turning 18 · Suicide rates are about 300% higher today than they were in the 1960s · Attempts to commit suicide may be more successful today than ever before because of such a high availability of firearms · Youth given antidepressants often have an increase in suicidal thoughts · For every completed suicide by youth it’s estimated 100-200 attempts are made · Suicide is now ranked as the third leading cause of death for young people
Argument 2:
Depressed teenagers are much more likely to act out through criminal activity than mentally healthy teenagers.
Evidence/Quotes: · Teens with undiagnosed emotional or behavioral problems often use drugs and alcohol as a way to relieve their frustrations · Youth with depression often act out sexually · Depressed teenagers are more likely to participate in shoplifting items worth more than $50 · They are more likely to carry illegal firearms and actually use firearms · Cumulative risky behaviors in emotionally distressed teens include consuming alcohol before age 13, using marijuana before age 16, using other drugs before age 18, selling illegal drugs before age 18, engaging in sex before age 16, stealing something worth less than $50 before age 18, stealing something worth more than $50 before age 18, destroying property before age 18, committing other property crime before age 18, being a member of a gang before age 18, getting into a fight before age 18, carrying a gun before age 18, and running away from home before age 18
Argument 3:
Being depressed as a teenager can ultimately affect the course of the rest of their lives.
Evidence/Quotes: · Nearly one in four (24 percent of) female youth with depression/anxiety have a biological child at age 18, which is more than double the portion of female youth experiencing less or no depression/anxiety who have a child at age 18 (9 percent). · Over a third (35 percent) of youth with depression/anxiety do not earn a high school diploma, which is more than double the 15 percent of youth experiencing less or no depression/anxiety. Youth with depression/anxiety are also less likely to obtain a degree from a four-year college (13 versus 27 percent). · Depressed teenagers are much more likely to disconnect from society, family, and friends as they age
Include below the opposing arguments you plan to briefly dismiss.
Opposing Viewpoint Argument 1: Teenagers should not be treated for depression because of the extremely high cost of care.
Argument 2: Teenagers should not be treated for depression because of the poor situation it puts the family in and how the family is viewed.
Argument 3: Teenagers should not be treated for depression because it will ultimately fix itself with time.
Response 1. Recent years have shown an increase in more cost effective ways of treating depression including the very affordable choice of group therapy.
2. Being able to treat depression in an open environment where the teenager feels comfortable talking about their situation with family is key in ultimately treating their depression. Being restrained from expressing their thoughts can worsen their condition and even cause them to become suicidal which will in affect create an even more “poor” condition for how the family is viewed.
3. Waiting for depression to “fix itself” is something close to an oxymoron. Depression can only fix itself if the teenager realizes they have symptoms of this condition and attempt to get treatment. Waiting for depression to fix itself can cause an actual increase in depression and suicidal thoughts/behavior.
Conclusion: How will you clinch your argument? What are your final words to your audience? Treating depression is something that is becoming increasingly important in bettering the lives of youth and teenagers today. Without treatment, depression becomes an inability to construct a future, grievance, and something that can ultimately ruin your life. “If depression is creeping up and must be faced, learn something about the nature of the beast: You may escape without a mauling.” (Dr. R. W. Shepherd).
Why people believe depression shouldn’t be treated: 1) cost of care, 2) what others might think, 3) problems finding or making appointments with a doctor or therapist, 4) time constraints and other responsibilities, 5) not wanting family to know about the depression 6) good care being unavailable and 7) just not wanting care
Springfield Township High School
Graduation Project—Thesis Driven Research Product Organizer
How would it make you feel if I told you that one out of every eight people you talk to in high school may be suffering from severe, clinical depression?
Teenage depression is a threatening illness that is often overlooked and not recognized throughout youth that fit this age group.
Depression in teenagers is extremely elemental. It is often triggered by an introduction of sexual hormones into teens and by a series of disturbing events. Depression and suicidal behavior can be traced to a noticeable or unnoticeable infatuation with death, loss of interest, intense physical changes, or unexplained physical complaints. Treatment options for depression can vary from talk therapy to the risky option of using antidepressants. Depression among youth often branches off into three types: major depressive disorder, dysthmic disorder, and the very common bipolar disorder.
Depressed teenagers have a much higher chance of becoming suicidal and actually committing suicide.
· The NIMH estimates that as many as 7% of depressed teenagers may commit suicide before turning 18
· Suicide rates are about 300% higher today than they were in the 1960s
· Attempts to commit suicide may be more successful today than ever before because of such a high availability of firearms
· Youth given antidepressants often have an increase in suicidal thoughts
· For every completed suicide by youth it’s estimated 100-200 attempts are made
· Suicide is now ranked as the third leading cause of death for young people
Depressed teenagers are much more likely to act out through criminal activity than mentally healthy teenagers.
· Teens with undiagnosed emotional or behavioral problems often use drugs and alcohol as a way to relieve their frustrations
· Youth with depression often act out sexually
· Depressed teenagers are more likely to participate in shoplifting items worth more than $50
· They are more likely to carry illegal firearms and actually use firearms
· Cumulative risky behaviors in emotionally distressed teens include consuming alcohol before age 13, using marijuana before age 16, using other drugs before age 18, selling illegal drugs before age 18, engaging in sex before age 16, stealing something worth less than $50 before age 18, stealing something worth more than $50 before age 18, destroying property before age 18, committing other property crime before age 18, being a member of a gang before age 18, getting into a fight before age 18, carrying a gun before age 18, and running away from home before age 18
Being depressed as a teenager can ultimately affect the course of the rest of their lives.
· Nearly one in four (24 percent of) female youth with depression/anxiety have a biological child at age 18, which is more than double the portion of female youth experiencing less or no depression/anxiety who have a child at age 18 (9 percent).
· Over a third (35 percent) of youth with depression/anxiety do not earn a high school diploma, which is more than double the 15 percent of youth experiencing less or no depression/anxiety. Youth with depression/anxiety are also less likely to obtain a degree from a four-year college (13 versus 27 percent).
· Depressed teenagers are much more likely to disconnect from society, family, and friends as they age
Argument 1: Teenagers should not be treated for depression because of the extremely high cost of care.
Argument 2: Teenagers should not be treated for depression because of the poor situation it puts the family in and how the family is viewed.
Argument 3: Teenagers should not be treated for depression because it will ultimately fix itself with time.
1. Recent years have shown an increase in more cost effective ways of treating depression including the very affordable choice of group therapy.
2. Being able to treat depression in an open environment where the teenager feels comfortable talking about their situation with family is key in ultimately treating their depression. Being restrained from expressing their thoughts can worsen their condition and even cause them to become suicidal which will in affect create an even more “poor” condition for how the family is viewed.
3. Waiting for depression to “fix itself” is something close to an oxymoron. Depression can only fix itself if the teenager realizes they have symptoms of this condition and attempt to get treatment. Waiting for depression to fix itself can cause an actual increase in depression and suicidal thoughts/behavior.
Treating depression is something that is becoming increasingly important in bettering the lives of youth and teenagers today. Without treatment, depression becomes an inability to construct a future, grievance, and something that can ultimately ruin your life. “If depression is creeping up and must be faced, learn something about the nature of the beast: You may escape without a mauling.” (Dr. R. W. Shepherd).
Why people believe depression shouldn’t be treated: 1) cost of care, 2) what others might think, 3) problems finding or making appointments with a doctor or therapist, 4) time constraints and other responsibilities, 5) not wanting family to know about the depression 6) good care being unavailable and 7) just not wanting care